If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Advice on buying a dog - Labradoodle?

Hi,
I'm looking at buying my first dog but am a bit confused and unsure, so I thought I would seek advice here.Its a bit long winded but I would appreciate your input.

I'm looking at purchasing a puppy later this year. While my family has always had a terrier growing up, this dog is my first real dog. I have thought long and hard about what I want from a dog. Not too big, around 40cm maybe, 10-13kg, intelligent, active enough for long walks or paddock rhomps, but devoted and loving at home, a dog that likes attention and maybe sitting on my lap, curling up at the end of my bed. Laid back enough to travel and visit friends with, and preferably solidish looking and a bit furry. Not too much sheding.

I came across the Labradoodle which seemed like a great mix with good reviews. But I have been reading around about them and how their breeding can be unpredictable, which for their price is not so good. They seem to cost a fair bit, upwards of 1200,which I feel is a lot for a sort of crossbreed. Its not so much the money, but if that is an accurate value. Additionally, most breeders seem to have an allocation scheme where you can not choose your own dog. I am not sure how comfortable I am with this, as I would rather meet and choose my own puppy. There has been mentions of unregistered breeders, hip displasia, DNA testing but many of the breeders I have seen offer some sort of genetic medical guarantee along with parental testing.

So can I have some advice? Experiences with Labradoodles, recommendations, breeders,warnings? Or is there another dog breed that might suit me that I don't know of? I must admit I do like the soft and loveable Labradoodle look but I am open to other things. I have looked at.the RSPCA but the puppy and dog breeds they seem to have aee often cattle type dogs or ones that I don't think suit me.I am a single female so while a friendly dog would be best it won't be around heaps of children.

Hey andi
Why would anyone want to cross breed the perfect dog?
Labradors are the most gentle intelligent kind loving breeds around, theyre cute even at 10+ years old and they're so easy to train, obviously I am bias as I've owned 3 labs in my lifetime but honestly I will never own another breed of dog other than a lab, I've seen many labradoodles around at dog beaches and parks and also a few friends of mine have owned them and your right when u say the breeding can be unpredictable, I've never really seen two that look the same ie some are tall some are short most of the time theyd weigh i bit more than 13kilos though,some are long haired some short some are very cute, some urrm not so much..two ppl I know had labradoodles and they were a bit hyperactive.. Although some say labs can be a little hypo too so I don't know, I guess it's just a decision you have to make.. The fact that doodles don't shed is fantastic as labs can shed a lot of fur, mostly during the change of seasons...but really what's a bit of dog hair between friends haha

The soft and loveable look is unfortunately only a proportion of lab x poodle pups.

You do sound like you've done some great research. But some of the things that are less commonly advertised include the following:

Lab x poodles often end up growing bigger than either parent. I would think your size preferences are much smaller than most of these guys.
The coat can be anything from short, flat and hard to wiry, or soft, to harsh and curled.
The coats have a reputation for being high shedding and high maintenance.
These crosses also have a reputation for being high energy.
They are highly priced as pups for what may grow into something unexpected.

Alternative are:

Rescue. Lab x poodles and other poodle crosses are frequently in rescue. The benefit of buying an older one is that the size, coat and temperament are mostly evident so less of a gamble.

Purebreds. Possible breeds to consider include Irish Water Spaniel, Portugese Water Dog, Lagotto Romagnolo, Brittany or Minature Poodle. Golden Retrievers though they may be larger than you're after.

If you're after less grooming work you could look at Flatcoat or Curly Coat Retrievers.

Also you may consider spaniels. Cockers, and American Cockers. Field Spaniels are particularly lovely, and Welsh and English Springer Spaniels.

When I was a child we had a miniature poodle, Lisa, she was great. She was a long legged athletic dog and need a reasonable amount of exercise although not excessive. The other dogs we had growing up were whippets. Gentle dogs that like a good walk but dont require excessive exercise and great with kids. Very laid back and enjoy sharing a couch. Although neither solid or furry LOL

My mum currently has a back yard bred labradoodle when a friends lab got with a minatur poodle. She is a lovely dog but her coat is a nightmare - harder to deal with than a poodle and she has allergies.

A friend has flat coated retrievers - loves them, but they are bigger. Says they are a great suburban dog.

I myself had a cattle dog as my first dog and she was the most gentle, loving and loyal of dogs as have been the following showbred cattledogs I have owned, they do need quite a bit of exercise though.

The other dog that is very laid back that I own would you believe is a showbred Border collie. An incredibly laidback dog (some showbreds are very laidback unlike the working breds) and very easy to live with, totally reliable. Often breeders have young dogs they are looking to rehome as they didnt make the showring grade, a friend of mine has a Border collie this way and it really suits her suburban lifestyle.

10-13 kg is really only a small dog and I would be surprised if you would find a labrador x poodle that is that size when grown.

Maybe if you could give us some more info about how much time a day you could spend exercising the dog, time you can spend on grooming, how long the dog would be left alone when you're at work, etc?

If you don't necessarily want a pup and are not fussed about breed, but just after a dog that suits you, a rescue dog could be a good option too. But I'm biased. I found it a good way to find a "matching dog" for us.

Yes tonnes of dogs of all shapes and sizes in rescue. Apart from my working dogs where I look for very specific traits, I will probably always get my other dogs from rescue. I saw a lovely young heeler cross the other day that a friend is fostering, perfect for agility. If only I had the room LOL.

But there are other breeds. My friend got a young dog, around the 16 kg mark and a bitza and she has turned out to be a real winner, active but not overley so and very sweet.

Hey andi
Why would anyone want to cross breed the perfect dog?
Labradors are the most gentle intelligent kind loving breeds around, theyre cute even at 10+ years old and they're so easy to train, obviously I am bias as I've owned 3 labs in my lifetime but honestly I will never own another breed of dog other than a lab, I've seen many labradoodles around at dog beaches and parks and also a few friends of mine have owned them and your right when u say the breeding can be unpredictable, I've never really seen two that look the same ie some are tall some are short most of the time theyd weigh i bit more than 13kilos though,some are long haired some short some are very cute, some urrm not so much..two ppl I know had labradoodles and they were a bit hyperactive.. Although some say labs can be a little hypo too so I don't know, I guess it's just a decision you have to make.. The fact that doodles don't shed is fantastic as labs can shed a lot of fur, mostly during the change of seasons...but really what's a bit of dog hair between friends haha

While lab are gorgeous dogs, they need a lot of work to be that way. They dont just come as beautiful well behaved family pets LOL....and I think they are just a tad over the 10-13kg weight range LOL

OP, if I were you, I would go for a (and this is about the 3rd time I have recommded this breed fgs LOL) poodle. Small and smart, low/non shedding (?) but need grooming. Small enough to take everywhere you want to go. And they are super versatile, they arent just cute little lap dogs. I know a guy who has a poodle and he lets her hair get a bit "dready" so she doesnt look so poncy, and he takes her out on the canoe and bike riding and tramping etc...then she gos home and cuddles with the wife and kids.

Like you, I find the idea of not being able to pick my own dog kind of odd. I understand why breeders do it that way, but I know when I have found the dog that is meant to live with us and couldnt do that if the dog was chosen for me (alo, we never have a list of requirements of it would be hard to match us with one).

I would have a look at rescue too. If you arent adopting until later in the year then you have plenty of time to keep your eye out for something you want.

While lab are gorgeous dogs, they need a lot of work to be that way. They dont just come as beautiful well behaved family pets LOL....and I think they are just a tad over the 10-13kg weight range LOL

yes totally agree, i put alot of work and consistancy into josies training and it def paid off, what i prob should have said was that they have good foundation of loving nature and intelligence also a will to please (guide dogs and assisant dogs are usually llabs for example)
i hate it when ppl say labs are really naughty and destructive, u cant expect a dog to just know how to behave u have to show them whats expected of them...with patience u can teach them anything... josie even takes the old toilet paper rolls of the holder for me

yes totally agree, i put alot of work and consistancy into josies training and it def paid off, what i prob should have said was that they have good foundation of loving nature and intelligence also a will to please (guide dogs and assisant dogs are usually llabs for example)
i hate it when ppl say labs are really naughty and destructive, u cant expect a dog to just know how to behave u have to show them whats expected of them...with patience u can teach them anything... josie even takes the old toilet paper rolls of the holder for me

I agree the foundation is most def there...however without proper "direction", they are extremely boisterous and destructive. Unfortunately this causes (in NZ anyway, I assume it is similar here) alot to be rehomed because ignorant morons expect them to come as that perfect family dog and they label them as hyperactive etc when they just havent been channelled properly.

Lovely pets....though personally not a fan (despite pretty much having one of them LOL)